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HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP

In a crisis, they could even spare you the kind of flight-desk anguish faced by Steve Martin in the hit Hollywood comedy Planes, Trains and Automobiles, when he found himself stranded at an airport with no one able to help.

This is what happened to Bob Hughes, a retired British Airways customer services assistant, who gets great discounts on international flights thanks to his previous job.

However, he faces the downside that he is more likely to get bumped off flights if there are too many passengers.

The 70-year-old widower, who lives in Uxbridge, West London, says: ‘I was stranded in Singapore at 11 o’clock at night in April this year having just been bumped off a flight back to Britain.

Bob Hughes was stranded in Singapore at 11 o’clock at night in April this year - but his Skyscanner app helped him book a new flight for just a few hours later

‘I whipped out my smartphone and tapped my requirements into the Skyscanner app. Within a couple of minutes I’d booked another flight for just a few hours later.

‘I walked straight to the check-in desk and discovered the flight confirmation details had even been sent 30 seconds earlier. The hassle of booking was avoided and I got to choose the price and airline – £400 with Emirates.

‘British Airways later refunded me for the inconvenience of being bumped off their plane and I also enjoyed a bonus stop-over in Dubai.’

Other flight comparison websites with app tools that are worth checking out include Kayak and Momondo.

Flightaware: Free

With this app, there is no need to wait until you get to the airport to find your flight is delayed.

With this app, there is no need to wait until you get to the airport to find your flight is delayed

All the key details about your flight are accessible via your smartphone.

Thanks to such apps, you can also go plane spotting, as they allow you to find out what planes are flying around in real time, giving the routes and heights of jets.

It also lets you check out local weather reports and airport information to find your way around. The app is just one of many similar pieces of software you can download on to your phone to help keep tabs on fights.

This app aims eventually to list every parking spot in the world. It currently details availability and charges on 38 million spaces in 52 countries.

Ease: Drivers tap in where they want to drive to or check out local spots on their phone

Drivers tap in where they want to drive to, or check out local spots on their phone. Nanny Sam Correia, from Blackheath, South-East London, spends a lot of time searching for free or cheap spots for her Nissan Micra.

The 29-year-old says: ‘It is always a nightmare to park in London. This app allows me to go straight to an available spot – often just a street away that I did not know existed.

‘If one is not available, I press on a link which enables me to pay for a car park by credit card and simply drive there.’

Other apps to consider are RingGo Parking and JustPark.

The RingGo app aims to help those who do not want to carry around a pocketful of coins for the car park, but prefer to pay by giving their credit or debit card details over the phone instead.

Hailo: Free

For the best taxis in London there is no substitute for a black cab. Though not the cheapest, black cab drivers know streets like the back of their hands, having passed the ‘Knowledge’ test.

With Hailo, a licensed taxi is a couple of taps away and with you in minutes. The app has an option to pre-book a taxi from an airport by putting in your flight details – and should arrive on time even if your flight is early or delayed.

You will be informed when the vehicle arrives.

It is also available in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.

Uber: Free

This service, which some fear undermines traditional black taxis, cannot be ignored as it makes booking a minicab much simpler.

Uber easy: Users get details of the nearest car, when it will arrive and pay using the app

Users are given details of the nearest car, when it will arrive and pay using the app. You can even track the cab’s progress towards you.

Passengers can also opt to choose the type of car – everything from a basic economy vehicle to a luxury model.

It is available in 16 UK cities, but can also be used in major cities worldwide.

UK Bus Checker: Free

The app offers live times and maps for every bus route in Britain. If you do not want to see any advertisements, it costs up to £3.99.

TRACK DOWN A HIRE BIKE COMPANY AND MAP OUT YOUR JOURNEY

This app offers visitors a way to find a nearby Santander or ‘Boris’ bike to rent

Cycle Hire: 79p

Though targeted at Londoners, this app also offers visitors a way to find a nearby Santander or ‘Boris’ bike to rent – detailing availability and drop-off points.

This is important as costs rise after 30 minutes’ usage, so finding a free docking spot fast saves you money.

Other apps include the Strava and Bike Hub Cycle Journey route plotters and fitness app Cyclemeter.

Citymapper: Free

Claiming to be ‘the ultimate transport app’ with exhaustive details of travel options on four wheels, two wheels and by foot in major cities, this allows users to input their location and destination – and gives details of the various ways of making the trip.

It also calculates calories burnt by walking and the cost of other forms of transport.

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Travel trouble? Here are the apps that can ease the hassle - and save money